I am not sure whether this event will be an American “let them eat cake” moment, but this is not smart politics.  The Economic Times reported Saturday on the plans for the President and Mrs. Obama’s upcoming trip to India:

“To ensure fool-proof security, the President’s team has booked the entire the Taj Mahal Hotel, including 570 rooms, all banquets and restaurants. Since his security contingent and staff will comprise a huge number, 125 rooms at Taj President have also been booked, apart from 80 to 90 rooms each in Grand Hyatt and The Oberoi hotels. The NCPA, where the President is expected to meet representatives from the business community, has also been entirely booked.
The officer said, “Obama’s contingent is huge. There are two jumbo jets coming along with Air Force One, which will be flanked by security jets. There will be 30 to 40 secret service agents, who will arrive before him. The President’s convoy has 45 cars, including the Lincoln Continental in which the President travels.””

He’s visiting the country–not taking it over.  The President and his wife will be in India for a two-day visit.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…  The Wall Street Journal reported today that the deficit panel is considering taking away many of the tax breaks average Americans enjoy–the deduction on mortgage interest, child tax credits, and the ability of employees to pay their portion of their health-insurance tab with pretax dollars.  The panel is also looking at spending cuts in defense and freezing domestic discretionary spending.

Does it strike anyone else as a little odd that as the President is complaining about the deficit and the taxpayers are threatened with significant tax increases, the taxpayers are paying for a very expensive two-day trip?  If the Bush tax cuts are not extended, everyone’s taxes will go up–extending the tax cuts does not cut anyone’s taxes–it simply allows the tax rates to stay where they are now.  It just seems to me that in a time of economic challenges for most Americans, the President is doing a lot of partying in the White House and spending lavishly on foreign travel.  Aside from the fact that the partying and travel may be having an impact on the budget (probably a small impact, but an impact), it just seems a little insensitive to be doing this as most Americans are tightening their belts and dealing with economic stress.